OUTER PLANET 54 PETplanet Insider Vol. 24 No. 10/23 www.petpla.net OUTER PLANET Rypax and Cellucomp introduce a “beyond plastics” bottle made from bamboo, bagasse and a cellulose product crafted from root vegetable waste Recipe for a fibre-based bottle Two entrepreneurial leaders in the fibre packaging industry are collaborating to introduce the first all-fibre bottle solution with an interior coating that offers a biodegradable and renewable solution for one of the most widely-used packaging designs on the planet. Asia-based moulded fibre packaging production firm, Rypax, and Scottish-based Cellucomp, the developer of the propriety micro fibrillated cellulose product Curran crafted from root vegetable waste, are collectively intending to propel the industry forward. Their collaborative efforts merge precision plant-based packaging manufacturing with a renewable feedstock ingredient, to launch an all-fibre bottle. Impermeable interior coating, eliminating the need for a plastic liner The leap the two independent businesses took was developing a novel pulp fibre made with a mix of Curran, bamboo, and bagasse. This material is claimed to be very strong with minimal porosity, enabling the application of a thin, impermeable coating to the bottle’s interior. This advance is intended to empower manufacturers to take the next step in environmental packaging by eliminating the need for a plastic liner. Furthermore, the all-fibre bottle gas been designed to exude premium aesthetics. The finish is intended to appeal to luxury brands across the beverage, beauty, and cosmetics sectors. “Integrating Rypax’s and Cellucomp’s proven technology, materials and production expertise to produce the industry’s first all-fibre bottle at scale is a major evolution for the industry,” said Christian Kemp-Griffin, CEO of Cellucomp. “Combining our global expertise in fibre packaging design and production with Cellucomp’s innovative ingredient solution, we are making a genuine breakthrough in barrier packaging,” said Alvin Lim, CEO of Rypax. Rypax and Cellucomp have been collaborating on a commercial all-fibre bottle format for more than three years and recently gained validation from the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), who has been an important partner in helping create viable proof of concepts. The partnership is poised to scale production for a range of industry applications, spanning beverages, beauty, health, medicine, and food to various retail brands. This collaboration aims to help manufacturers in providing more sustainable products, thereby reducing waste, and aligning with consumer, governmental, and internal sustainability objectives. Moving forward, Rypax and Cellucomp will work closely with DTI to explore further fibre packaging solutions, including fibre screw threads, caps, even thinner coatings, and intricate branding methods on bottles to cater to their customers’ needs. “After successfully unveiling our groundbreaking all-fibre bottle at Pack Expo 2023, we are thrilled to announce our next strategic phase,” added Alvin Lim, CEO of Rypax. “We are actively seeking like-minded collaborators and prospective partners who share our vision and enthusiasm for innovation. Together, we aim to drive this remarkable all-fibre bottle into mass production, opening new avenues for brands’ sustainability goals.“ www.cellucomp.com www.rypax.com Rypax is a moulded fibre packaging specialist that is committed to being environmentally friendly. The company’s products are recyclable, biodegradable and only made from materials sourced from responsible, green suppliers. Rypax produces custom moulded fibre products in a wide range of applications, ranging from cosmetic to industrial, meeting the needs of clients from various industries including pharmaceutical, beauty and electronics. Rypax is the international division of The Wing Fat Printing Co., Ltd. and has offices and production facilities across the U.S., Macau, and China to serve clients globally. Cellucomp is a Scottish-based company located in Fife, near Edinburgh. The team of scientists and business professionals work on the development and commercialisation of sustainable materials. Their principal activity is to develop and commercialise Curran, a material developed from the extraction of nanocellulose fibre of root vegetables, primarily from sugar beet pulp, which is a by-product of the sugar industry.
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